The Chamber of Textile, Clothing and Free Trade Zones of El Salvador (Camtex) reported that in 2017 the sector exported $2.617 million worth of clothes, $95 million more than was reported in 2016, which is equivalent to an interannual increase of 3.8%.

Guatemalan authorities announced that in the coming weeks they hope to finalize the extension of the FTA with the South American country, which will consist of inclusion of the textile and rubber sector.

With the aim of continuing to promote Guatemalan exports from the textile industry, Executive authorities stated that after the last visit to Colombia, they were able to reach an agreement to expand the conditions of the FTA.

Between January and September of 2017, Central American countries imported $977 million worth of clothing and accessories, 14% more than in the same period in 2016.

Figures from the information system on theApparel and Clothing Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]

The Panamanian government has decided to increase, in some cases by up to 30%, import tariffs on several products, including flowers, cement and bituminous coal, most of which are imported from the South American country.

According to a Cabinet Decree published on January 10 in the Official Newspaper, the Panamanian government decided to modify several fractions of the National Import Tariff, taxing at 30% imports of roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, calla lillies, astomerias, gladiolas and "flor de confite" (Calyptronoma plumeriana (Martius) Lourteig), which mostly come from Colombia.

In 2017 exports totaled $5,760 million, 6% more than in 2017, and sales of clothing and sugar were the ones that accounted for most of the increase.

Sales in the Central American region, including Panama, constituted the second largest destination for Salvadoran exports, amounting to $2.403 billion, also registering an increase of 6% compared to 2016.

Representatives from the company Hanesbrands have stated that the company will be investing $5 million in expansion of a plant located in San Juan Opico, department of La Libertad.

Currently the plant manufactures around 860 tons of fabric per week and the extension consists of the incorporation of new machinery and technology for the process of dyeing finished garments, with which they intend to venture into new markets.

29% of the companies that are dedicated to the design and confection of clothes are less than five years old, 18% between five and 20 years, 24% are more than twenty years old.

A report by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and SMEs analyzes the characteristics of the clothing design and clothing industry in the Dominican Republic, and lists the opportunities in the sector, among which are the frequency of clothing purchases made by Dominican consumers, the obligatory nature of the use of certain garments in institutions due to workplace regulations, the need for school uniforms, the existence of government procurement programs and the influx of tourists, who are potential customers of typical Dominican products, clothing and accessories.

After having recorded a slight fall in 2017, companies in the free trade zone regime of Nicaragua plan to achieve a 5% growth in their exports this year.

One of the engines of growth that is expected to be achieved in 2018 is investments and reinvestmentson the part of existing companies that are anticipated for this year. According to free zone entrepreneurs, between $300 million and $400 million could be invested.

The increases range from 3.9% to 6.15%, depending on the number of employees on the payroll and the economic activity to which the company is dedicated.

The increase applies from January 1, and will be 3.9% for companies with between 1 and 50 employees, 5.5% for those with between 51 and 150 employees, and 6.15% for companies that have more than 150 workers.

Salvadoran textile companies state that the costs of labor, security and delivery times have made the sector's operations more expensive.

The recentincrease in the minimum wageis one of the factors that has had a direct impact on the cost structure of Salvadoran textile companies. Added to this are logistical difficulties in customs offices, which have caused companies from neighboring countries to obtain contracts that were originally planned for El Salvador.

Salvadoran textile companies report that between January and October exports of textiles and clothing grew by 3%, but the maquila sector went down by almost 9% compared to the same period in 2016.

Patricia Figueroa, executive director of the Chamber of the Textile, Clothing and Free Trade Zone (Camtex), explained to Laprensagrafica.com that"... the sub-segment of the maquila 'is where the basic products are, such as T-shirts and underwear, but it is a segment that has to be taken care of because it is more vulnerable to costs and environmental shocks."

The governments agreed to improve market access conditions for tires, sanitary ware and certain textile products, and to update the rules of origin for active liquid preparations or creams for washing skin, and medical devices.

From a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica: